History

First built around 1601,[1] Shimosawa-shuku flourished as a post town because it was located between two difficult mountain passes, Wada Pass and Shiojiri Pass. The town's onsens made it a heavily used rest area.[1] It also served as the entrance to the Suwa Taisha.

Records show that in 1843, Shimosuwa-juku had 1,345 residents and 315 buildings. Among the building, there was one honjin, one sub-honjin, and 40 hatago.[]